Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a type of mental condition usually caused by a traumatic event or childhood trauma.
In this fast-going life, nobody has time to share their problems with others and this causes them to hide their feelings and emotions inside. This is one of the main reasons for having post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
There are lots of misconceptions revolving around the globe regarding PTSD. Some think it is a type of disease and others think it is normal and there is no need to pay attention to this condition, but in the long term, it affects your overall health and makes you realize that in the past you should take care of it.
Even in the worst scenarios, it can lead to suicidal thoughts in an individual. So in this article, we will discuss all possible PTSD-related problems, misconceptions, and solutions.
What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a very harmful mental condition that leads to breaking down your focus and confidence and makes you feel lower. PTSD is usually caused due to a traumatic event or a childhood trauma. It also happens due to a lack of socialization.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms
Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms usually start within a month after a traumatic event, but sometimes it takes a year to realize that an individual is having PTSD.
These symptoms last for a long time and make your life even worse than earlier. It directly affects your work, social groups, and your mood. The person dealing with PTSD may have a sense of feeling lost in every situation whether it is tough or simple. It is hard to understand anything while having post-traumatic stress disorder.
The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder are grouped into four main categories according to their intensity and time. These symptoms can be worse in stressful and traumatic situations.
The following are the symptoms of PTSD:
Intrusive Memory
Intrusive memory includes lots of happenings on your brain function including:
Flashbacks: Experiencing the previous traumatic event as it is happening in the current situation. In simple words, getting flashbacks of your previous traumatic event in the current time.
Nightmares: In this situation person having post-traumatic stress disorder gets nightmares every night regarding this traumatic event.
Intrusive Thoughts: Getting uncontrollable bursts of traumatic memories all of a sudden.
Emotional Distress: Intense feelings or emotional reactions while someone remembers the traumatic event.
Physical Reactions: Rapid heart beating and sweating, or nausea when an individual thinks about that traumatic event or somebody talks about it.
Avoidance
In this situation, an individual starts ignoring the places, people, or things that are associated with the traumatic event. Also, an individual starts ignoring talking or thinking about the memories of that event and starts hiding his feelings to forget all the things related to that traumatic event.
Mood Swings
In this situation, individuals start overthinking everything like the world is not trustable or he/she is useless in this world. Also, they feel detached or strange from their loved ones as well as losing interest in all the activities that they enjoyed before.
Post-traumatic stress disorder patients may start believing that the event has happened due to their mistake. It establishes feelings of guilt, self-blame, and helplessness.
Most of the time person feel lost in the world, they find it hard to remember important aspects of that event or important things in their life and are unable to feel any kind of emotion whether it is happiness or satisfaction.
Arousal and Reactivity Symptoms
In this situation, people are unable to control or express their situations and start getting angry about normal things. Lack of sleep, lost in everything, forgot important things are part of it.
Other Common Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms
Other common post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms include Depression and feelings of isolation, substance abuse, headache, and digestive problems.
Intensity of PTSD Symptoms
It is very important to detect PTSD in its early stages as if it lasts for a long, it can make a permanent impact on your social and biological life. It can lead to suicidal thoughts and sometimes it is really a life-threatening problem.
Types of PTSD
There are majority 6 types of PTSD classified based on their onset, duration, and specific characteristics. Here are the types of PTSD:
Acute Stress Disorder
The duration of this acute stress disorder lasts from 3 days to 1 month after the traumatic event. Symptoms of acute stress disorder can be the same as PTSD but occur immediately after the traumatic event. If this disorder takes more than a month then it will be treated as PTSD.
Acute PTSD
The duration of this acute PTSD lasts from 1 month to 3 months after the traumatic event. Symptoms of acute PTSD can be avoidance, intrusive memory, negative mood swings, and heightened arousal. It can be treated with proper PTSD treatment but if it is left untreated, it turns into chronic PTSD.
Chronic PTSD
The duration of this chronic PTSD lasts more than 3 months after the traumatic event. Symptoms of chronic PTSD can be very dangerous, it can ruin your day-to-day life and make you more traumatized. This situation lasts for a year or lifetime if it is left untreated.
Delayed Onset PTSD
The duration of this delayed onset PTSD appears at least 6 months or more after the traumatic event. In this situation, the patient initially feels to recover but in the long term, the symptoms of PTSD start emerging and affecting daily activities. It can be treated but only with proper therapy and treatment.
Complex PTSD
Complex PTSD is a result of prolonged ongoing or repeatedly traumatic events. The person with complex PTSD faces difficulty in feeling or expressing emotions. It is difficult to treat this situation completely but can be treatable with specialized treatments.
Comorbid PTSD
Comorbid PTSD comes with other mental disorders like anxiety, depression, or substance use. These symptoms can worsen due to their combined mental disorder nature and can be very challenging to treat.
Causes of PTSD
Causes of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can occur due to a traumatic event that happened in life or childhood. The seriousness, duration, and impact also play a major role in developing PTSD. Some common causes of PTSD are:
- Physical or Sexual Assault
- Domestic Violence
- Violence in Conflict Areas
- Facing Natural Disasters
- Serious Accidents
- Sudden Loss of Loved Ones
- Childhood Trauma
- Life Threatening Medical Trauma
Not everyone having these causes can develop PTSD but in most cases, the reason would be this. It is important to notice these causes and try to act towards the treatment as soon as possible.
PTSD Treatment
PTSD treatment focuses on reducing the symptoms and improving the life quality. There are several treatments available for PTSD. Some of the most useful PTSD treatments are:
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is one of the best therapies to treat PTSD easily without a long course of medications. It helps patients to recognize their conditions and cope with the negative thoughts occurring in their minds.
Medications
Medications can be very helpful in treating PTSD rapidly, but they may cause some side effects if not taken under healthcare supervision. Some of the popular medications are:
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
- Prazosin
- Antidepressants and Anti-anxiety Medications
- Antipsychotic Medications
These medications have to be taken under healthcare supervision in proper dose and duration according to your type of PTSD.
Mindfulness and Stress Management
Mindfulness and stress management techniques can be very helpful in treating the initial stage of PTSD. Changing your lifestyle and adding yoga, or meditation-like activities can be very helpful in treating this condition.
Complementary Therapies
If you are willing to treat your PTSD without a long period of medications then these complementary therapies are very helpful for you. It includes art and music therapy, animal-assisted therapy, and acupuncture therapy.
Hospitalization or Intensive Treatment
If you have been experiencing PTSD for a long time and the symptoms are getting worse, then it is very important to ask for medical advice by directly going to the hospital and specialized treatment for PTSD.
PTSD Medications
Medications can be very helpful in treating PTSD rapidly, but they may cause some side effects if not taken under healthcare supervision. Some of the popular medications are:
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
- Prazosin
- Antidepressants and Anti-anxiety Medications
- Antipsychotic Medications
These medications have to be taken under healthcare supervision in proper dose and duration according to your type of PTSD.
Risk Factors
If your PTSD is left untreated, then it is very possible to have suicidal thoughts, and nightmares, and find difficulty in understanding. Treating PTSD is very important to your healthcare experts, or it can be life-threatening for you and others as well.
When to See a Doctor
If you are trying to deal with PTSD and you are not getting results without medications, then it is necessary to seek healthcare advice. Sometimes untreated PTSD can cause suicidal thoughts so, it is better to prevent this situation early before getting worse.
FAQs
What is PTSD and What are its main symptoms?
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a very harmful mental condition that leads to breaking down your focus and confidence and makes you feel lower.
Causes of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can occur due to a traumatic event that happened in life or childhood. The seriousness, duration, and impact also play a major role in developing PTSD.
Who is most at risk of developing PTSD?
People who are experiencing Physical or Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Sudden Loss of Loved Ones, and Childhood Trauma can easily get PTSD.
What are the long-term effects of PTSD if untreated?
If PTSD is left untreated, an individual can experience chronic PTSD which can be life-threatening as well as ruin their social life easily.
Can PTSD be treated or cured?
Yes, PTSD can be treated and cured completely by taking simple steps towards your lifestyle and getting proper treatment from your healthcare experts.
Conclusion
In today's fast-growing world, PTSD is becoming very common. As a human being, it is important to take care of your loved ones and ask for help if needed. If you feel having PTSD in your family then it is important to ask medical advice as soon as possible. Hope this article is helpful for you!!!